Rescue teams continue searching for survivors at the partially collapsed Aeon shopping mall, where the operator confirmed to AFP that an explosion occurred after staff and customers had already evacuated the building.
Witnesses reported observing an explosion and smoke emanating from the shopping mall following the seismic event, with reports indicating that the second floor of the structure had collapsed.
The earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island at 16:27 local time (07:27 GMT) on Tuesday.